Confessions of a gadgeteer

Forever and a day...

2007-03-13T14:30:00.000+01:00

*Walks in, blows away dust covering...well...everything?*

I'd almost completely forgotten about this blog! My bad...I sorry! Since my "family" blog has been converted from English to Danish, I need an outlet for my written English...and so I'm wondering if any of you out there still keep tabs on this place? Leave a comment in the appropriate place if you're still with me, and I *promise* to keep you more updated from now on! :-)

Much love, Atrejù

PS: couldn't leave you without a shot of the boy, now could I...? ;-)

Some good news, and some fun old stuff

2006-10-17T02:25:00.000+02:00

Hey gang,

it's been a while since my last post, but it's not like things have slowed down: I was asked to go to a job-interview with our favourite personal navigation solutions company on Thursday the 5th of October. Naturally, I said I'd love to go, and went! The interview went really well (at least that's what I thought), with me giving clear and to-the-point answers to any and all questions, all the while being myself, i.e. not "over-selling" myself in any way.

After the interview, I spent a couple of days trying to keep calm, telling myself that even though I thought the interview had gone great, I didn't know who I was up against - could have been the inventor of GPS navigation for all that I knew? So I kept calm, and went about the daily routines.

On Monday, they called and asked me how I thought I'd done. I told them straight forwardly that I had enjoyed the interview, and loved the fact that they saw the potential of my qualifications, and didn't label me "overqualified" straight out of the box. (In fact, at the interview, they aired some thoughts about using me more for training and less for actual retail visits, seeing as they saw a strong trainer-profile in me...how's that for changing the game to suit the applicant?!? *grins*)

After I'd told them how I felt, he went quiet for the gratuitous 2 seconds, before he uttered "Well - they want you!" I think I may very well have lost my balance a little... :-D Apparently, they shared my reactions to the interview & also had a good feeling about the chemistry, and would very much like me to start next week (i.e. Monday the 16th)!? Wow. So I'm employed I guess? :-D

However, I got a call Friday that they hadn't been able to align all the paperwork properly this past week due to an upcoming electronics expo in Stockholm eating up all of their resources, but that they would get back to me as soon as humanly possible! So again, I'm holding my breath, crossing my fingers that I don't get the "We've changed our minds"-call... I guess, in a sense, this is self-defense? I want to see the contract signed before I go ballistic? :-) So I'm still searching for other jobs, even though I haven't sent any applications since they told me they wanted me...

Phew - glad I got that off my keyboard. ;-)

In other news: the kid rolled around on his own for the first time yesterday!!! He was lying on the couch beside the girl, while I was on the phone with her in the car (en route to the postoffice), when suddenly she nearly dropped the phone in all the excitement!

"WOW! - HE JUST ROLLED OVER ON HIS OWN! ON HIS OWN, HONEY!?! I can't BELIEVE IT! Who's a very gifted young man? Who's a very gifted young man?! Ohhh Mommy's little boyyy!!" (you get the idea...)

She proceeded to max out the memory card in the camera with pictures and video of him attempting to recreate the feat - I will have to sift through the copious amounts of footage and post some here...

For now, here's a(n oldie but goodie!) video from our favourite American: Weird Al Yankovich!

About time for an update, no? ;-)

2006-08-10T22:45:00.000+02:00

Wow. Summer came, summer went - and not many blog-post from yours truely. Some people I guess would say "Good on you! - get offline for a while, live life!"

But the truth of the matter is, I haven't been that offline: in Cannes, there's WLAN in the appartment, and now that I'm back in Denmark, the old DSL is in place...so what have I been doing? I've been parenting! Dang those little guys take up a lot of time! *grins* And we're two parents, doing the parent-thing full time (yeah, yeah - living off the trust fund, you know how it is...*grins*) - and it's killing us?? Between us, he takes up the entire day: quite a feat for someone not yet 3 months old? The days seem to be taking each other by the hand and skipping off into the sunset before we even realize they're here...? Very, very unpleasant - especially when you have a tonne of stuff to do, and no time to do it in already. But when he looks like this, you tend to forgive a lot:

(He's started scratching himself in his sleep? Gives himself some nasty gashes - so now, he wears gloves to sleep. Looks incredibly cute. Must photograph it one of these days. *grins*)

But back to me: I'm a Master of Science! Yay me! :-D Passed with an average grade (what I expected from 9 weeks of work, I must admit), but with many, many cudos from both my teach and the censor: they actually told me I could have gotten an A if I'd spent a full 6 months on it. Oh well. I'm fine and happy - and now the proud owner of an M.Sc. in Business Management and Computer Science. And now, looking for a job. So if any of you know of any jobs, please do let me know! *grins*

The family-situation has taken a new and exciting twist: the sister-in-law has told us that she has photographs (and now videos too?!?) of her husband cheating on her...and she still chooses to stay with him??? And when I say cheating, I mean cheating: there must be at least 15 different girls in the pictures?!? So here's a little poll "for all the ladies in the house": if you found photos and videos of your husband cheating on you - would you tough it out, or would you divorce him? Add to the mix that you haven't lived in the same country for 8-9 years (and as an aside: that he has yet to send you a present on your birthday while he's lived abroad) - you still stay with him? Let me hear your input.

But the family's had enough: both the girl and I + her parents are done. We're discussing how to let her know, but the fact of the matter is, that her husband is now persona non gratta for all future family events. And yes; this includes Christmas! Personally - and I'm not proud to say this - I hope she stays with him. Just for the hell of it? She's been with him this long, she seems to enjoy being hurt - let her live her life the way she likes? Only one thing: I don't want to see the guy, I don't want to hear his name, and I don't want him to be any part of my sons life, at any time, ever. For my part, I'm done with him - and her, if she chooses to stay with him. The only problem is her son: he's cute as buttons - and completely innocent. But he knows somethings awry: he's told his Mom as much. He even says he doesn't want to see his Dad anymore - how much clearer does it get from a pre-teen?!? But his Mom is oblivious... Man, I want to snatch up that kid and run with him! He's never had a father-figure in his life - and boy does he need one! Does he ever...

He's a good kid, all the way to the marrow of hiw bones, but he's got a defiant streak in him a mile wide, which comes into play when he's confronted with boundries of any kind, e.g. when given limitations by his Mom: he flat out refuses, and often times ignores her when asked to do stuff. And she doesn't know how to tackle it, so she does nothing. And then showers him with expensive gifts when she guilt-trips. I know, I know: it's so cliché! I'm living in a Danielle Steel novel for cryin' out loud! *grins* But I must admit that these photos and videos are the best thing that's happened in a while: I can't stand her...something about how she's just so weak just...irks me? So if she stays with her husband, and as such is more or less ousted, that's fine by me. More peace of mind.

But does that make me a bad person?

The comments are open - flame away. :-)

PS: hope you all had amazing summers, and got some R&R on- or offline as apropriate...*grins

Glamorous Cannes...

2006-07-09T12:57:00.000+02:00

Thanks for all your comments on the last post! :-D I realize that, as a European, I'm blessed to have all of these wonderful, semi-exotic locations within a very short distance (London, Paris, Milan, Rome, Florence, Nice, Cannes, Luxembourg, Monaco, Barcelona, Seville...you get the picture. *grins*). And yes: Cannes does have its glamorous sides (see any postcard). However, I decided to go about documenting the less glamorous sides - such as I see them when I walk down to the boulangerie (bakery, for the non-francophiles) in the morning to get baguettes (yes, ordinarily the butler would get the bread, but I enjoy mingling with the common people... *grins*).

But enough by the way of introduction: I give you the flipside of Cannes!

Security, Cannes-style. This will deter any and all would-be trespassers. Maybe.

With a plate like this, you would think the guy's saving up for a VW...?

A nicer view - and the more observant viewer will be able to distinguish the bread-running photographer... :-)

I guess this is as close as you can live to someone without living with them...?

Pedestrians in Cannes do not receive a lot of love from the city council...

The End

2006-07-05T15:50:00.000+02:00

It's done. I'm finished. It's over. 6 years of my life have passed, and shortly I will be on the receiving end of a diploma, stating that I have an M.Sc. in Business Administration and Computer Science - or cand.merc.(dat.) as it's called in Danish. And it feels...strange? A little empty? As if somehow, it's not quite real just yet. So in an effort to attempt to make it real, the family's packed our bags, and gone to Cannes for 3 weeks. If that doesn't work, I may just have to go out and get a job?!? ;-)

Have a great summer - I may blog some more from down here, but don't count on it... :-)

No bad student - only bad teacher...

2006-06-13T08:44:00.000+02:00

Hey Dad! - I've got a question for you. Something that's been on my mind a lot lately.

My question is: can you do this??? I'm pretty good at it, so I thought I'd ask if you're as good as me?

(I can't believe I made him do it!)

Hey Mom! Is this guy my real Dad? Are you sure? Like really, really sure? Bummer...

Good laugh!

2006-05-31T22:59:00.000+02:00

My friend Tom Keating has a hilarious post on the new Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) nag-screen - read it here.

I'm off to find some "high quality" bootleg of win2k...wish me luck! *grins*

Oh: and the baby's fine, as are the Mom and Dad...even if the Mom's a bit tired from the nightly feeding (Daddy very supportively snores straight through). :-P

It's a boy!

2006-05-24T18:54:00.000+02:00

I realize I've been scarce...but that's what parenthood will do to you! :-) A healthy, strapping baby boy arrived last Wednesday (17th) at 02.53am. Now, a week later, I still pinch myself that he's here...he's so unbelievably gorgeous and sweet, it makes all the clichés even more clichéed...*grins*

But don't take it from me - judge for yourselves:

I know I'm hooked. :-)

Epitaph

2006-05-11T15:29:00.000+02:00

...and a voice cried out from heaven, saying: "It is done."
- Book of Revelations, 16:17

After 9,5 weeks, 86 pages now await the final read-through (thanks Pete & Martin!), before I correct the last comma's and dot the last i's. It's been a growing experience for sure: I have had virtually no social life for the duration of this project, and - oddly enough - not that many "all-nighters"? I guess when you get up at 7am every day, you tend to not last so long into the pm (latest recorded shut-down: 03.25)?

So now, it's time to relax, help out where I can (both the girl and the house!) and wait for impending fatherhood.

So long, thesis, and thanks for all the fish...

Gentleman Poet

2006-05-08T12:35:00.000+02:00

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

Stumbled upon this poem from my past, and was sent tumbling down memory lane. I love the feel and emotion of it. I think it safe to say that it is one of my favourite poems of all time. Robert Frost was a remarkable wordsmith indeed.

Oh - and no baby yet. :-)

Not Daddy yet...

2006-05-05T01:07:00.000+02:00

*grins* - no, children: I am not a member of the "fatherhood" crowd yet. :-)

Actually, just came on to make a mental note: I think I may be nocturnal? I just realized that durring the day, I get very little real work done on the thesis? Always a million other things to do? But as soon as the clock strikes 23 (11pm for the yanks...*grins*), productivity soars, and the creative juices flow? This sucks! But in my defence, I've always been like this? Have been actively fighting it for a while, but maybe it's time to say f-ck it, and give in? Might actually come in handy with the baby...? *grins*

Oh well - off to capitalize on the nocturnal energy! Will keep you posted...

Officially, the date is upon us...

2006-05-04T00:28:00.000+02:00

Later today, I may become a Dad.

Let that just sink in for a minute.

Later today, I - may - become - somebodys - DAD. Father. A parent.

How competely irresponsible? Creed set me off, "With Arms Wide Open" came into my iTunes rotation, and I caught myself "zoning out", mentally focusing on the lyrics (I'm big on lyrics):

(...)
Well I don't know, if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be?
I take a breath, I take her by my side
We stand in awe; we've created life!

With arms wide open, under the sunlight
Welcome to this place, I'll show you everything
With arms wide open, now everything has changed
I'll show you love, I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open
(...)

This sums my feelings up pretty nicely. I don't feel...mature enough? - old enough? - to be a father yet? But then again, I don't think you're ever ready...you just have to jump out - sort of like what I imagine sky-diving must be like? *grins*

Well then: this is me, grabbing my humour and my positive mind, and setting off on some more thesis-pounding, all while seriously crossing all extremities that I do not become a parent before I father this bloody thesis!!! :-)

Don't hate me...

2006-05-03T14:54:00.000+02:00

...but I really, really like the new Mac ads currently running in the States! I sat in front of my Mac and laughed...which is always a good sign! :-D

You can catch the ads online here or by clicking the picture.

I particularly like Viruses, Restarting and Network. ;-)

Morning after - looking better

2006-05-02T11:19:00.000+02:00

Not difficult to look better after last nights post... But oh joy of man's longing! - the inbox held glorious advisor e-mail:

Hi: This looks actually pretty advanced. A key point for now will be to improve the discussion section in terms of theory how does your theory listet in the theory chapter apply? What do we need to learn to make theory applicable to this specific case? Do you suggest a own model in the end that intergrates old theory and new empirical insigths? My recommendation is to make a own model and then show how it can be applied adn goes beyond thos models you have listed in the theory section. Do that on 3-5 pages. I think there will be one week work more. Best, V.

(Yes; he's German.)

So yeah...just have to make my own model...! Damn. Say what you will about the man, but he's not one to cut me slack or belittle my skills...! *grins* But I have no clue as to how to tackle my own model...so I'll put that off, and do the other stuff first. Maybe it will come to me? *crosses fingers*

Oh: and if he think this'll take me another week, he's got another think coming: time is a luxury I do not have! :-)

Completely beat

2006-05-02T02:51:00.000+02:00

*whimpering*

- I surrender, oh evil thesis! You have me by the gonads, lacking sleep and coherent thought. The clock shows almost 3am, and I've been listening to trance for the past 3 hours. Currently I'm listening to New Order's Pump Panel Reconstruction Mix of "Confusion"...and I think the bass is the only thing currently keeping me upright/awake?

Just sent 77 pages to my advisor. Some good, some utter crap, but all mine. 77 pages in 2 months. It's not finished - yet. But it's closer than it's ever been! My guess is I will have it done by Wednesday, if I manage to get some sleep right about...now.

*face-plant on keyboard, begins silenty snorring*

Dilemma

2006-04-27T18:03:00.000+02:00

I'm stuck. I can't for the life of me figure out if I should include a value chain analysis and / or a PEST analysis in the thesis?

The more I read about the value chain, the less I understand. Basically, it's a model for assessing how value is created within a firm - I get that. But what to include? Porter's original includes everything with regards to a given firm...but I don't think this will help me? What I would like to do, would be to use a simplified value chain - to show the number of steps from basic input to the end user? Something like this:

(you'll probably have to view it larger)

I've pretty much decided to forego the PEST analysis: the political factors do not play any role in the market (except for the price on subscriber lines bundled in with the DSL solutions - but that's another story, imho?), and the economic, social and technological aspects would, at best, be guesswork on my part: no energy to go out and find sources at this point. Just want to wrap it all up for a to-go order. :-)

Any thoughts / ideas, oh cream-of-the-crop, über-amazing readers...? ;-)

Burning the midnight oil...

2006-04-27T02:12:00.000+02:00

It's crunch time. Have had to enlist the help of an old friend:

...aaaand it's not helping. Need sleeeep. Back tomorrow - stay tuned...

*lights out*

Minor setback

2006-04-26T15:20:00.000+02:00

One of my good friends (ph.d. nerd who specialises in innovation) has been kind enough to read through my thesis (well, the first 50 pages anyway), and (un?)fortunately, she's eerily sharp...resulting in me having to seriously revamp / reconsidder some things. So as for being done Friday...fugeddaboutit. New deadline: Monday (so long, weekend, and thanks for all the fish...).

A nice image helps things go down more easily...so here's one that's funny, but a little horrible (Windows = euch!):

Anyone spot the acronym...? *grins*

Can almost smell it now...

2006-04-25T14:27:00.000+02:00

I've lost count a little, but I think I've only got something like 8 pages left until I reach critical mass for the thesis...?!? The present plan is to be done writing this Friday - a good 6 days before impending fatherhood (as set by Danish health authorities). If I make it - and I'm actually starting to believe I will? - I will have written my thesis in just two months. No idea how it happened, but there you have it.

Nonsense - I know perfectly well how it happened: up at 7 am 7 days a week, then confine myself in front of the computer until 8-9-10-11-12pm/1-2pm, go to sleep, repeat next day. For two months. And I know I could have done it faster, seeing as I have not been...ahem...100% efficient with my time (hello Flickr!). But I believe a thesis is a process as much as anything else, and I don't think I could have done it any faster? But I'm well pleased with the whole event.

And to you wonderful, unthick, curious souls out there: the subject of the thesis is

How should Danish Telcos face the advent of VoIP?

Pure and simple. I believe Danish Telcos are in serious trouble unless they get their fingers out asap. VoIP providers are cropping up like mushrooms, and incumbent Telcos seem to think analogue, PSTN-telephony is an unending source of income = they have no intentions of lowering their prices. They should considder adapting to this new technology's entry onto the market, if they don't want to learn the hardway.

There - a thesis summary in 65 words. Hurrah! :-)

PS: Audiolathe - any progress on the Podcasts...? ;-)

Just passed the 70% mark!

2006-04-19T18:30:00.000+02:00

Thesis is now past 70% done - took a spurt today, flying 4,5 pages off in no time?! So hit the "magic" 50-page mark, which leaves less than 20 pages to go. But 20 pages is still a mouthful, so I'd best get back to business.

Just keeping you in the loop. :-)

Esteem-slump

2006-04-11T10:56:00.000+02:00

Feel extremely unhappy with self today. Don't feel like I'm worth knowing. No job, no work done on the thesis this weekend, still not happy with the mirror-image, and (apparently?!?) no self-discipline to do anything about the last three... :-( To top this off, I have a throat infection (don't follow link if you're squeamish), so it's just my week.

But I guess there's only one thing to do: change it.

"Loosers always whine about doing their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom-queen!"

Thanks Sean - needed that.

Oh - and Happy Easter to those of you who chase bunnies... :-)

It's official

2006-04-05T22:09:00.000+02:00

Finally, the good people in Cupertino have lost their marbles. I don't know whether to laugh or cry? Feels like my Mac, for so many years dear to me because I was free of windows vira, malware, pop-ups and other trash, has been...violated? *sighs* But hey well: you can't stop evolution, so...viva la revolucion?

I'll be fine, don't worry. Just have to live with the fact that my Mac is no longer "special"... :-(

Amsterdam

2006-04-04T19:05:00.000+02:00

by Coldplay

Come on, oh my star is fading
And I swerve out of control
If I, if I'd only waited
I'd not be stuck here in this hole

Come here, oh my star is fading
And I swerve out of control
And I swear, I waited and waited
I've got to get out of this hole

But time is on your side, its on your side, now
Not pushing you down, and all around
It's no cause for concern

Come on, oh my star is fading
And I see no chance of release
And I know I'm dead on the surface
But I am screaming underneath

And time is on your side, its on your side, now
Not pushing you down, and all around
No it's no cause for concern

Stuck on the end of this ball and chain
And I'm on my way back down again
Stood on the edge, tied to the noose
Sick to the stomach

You can say what you mean
But it won't change a thing
I'm sick of the secrets

Stood on the edge, tied to the noose
And you came along and you cut me loose
You came along and you cut me loose
You came along and you cut me loose

Somber text, but his voice combined with the instrumental arrangements...amazing. Just amazing. Would gladly host mp3 for all to download, but a) 's illegal, and b) host would kill me and my account = no good. So go search the web, or bite the bullet at iTunes or something. If nothing else, have a preview-listen? It really is that good.

Sux

2006-04-04T09:49:00.000+02:00

Didn't get the second job either... Maybe my inherent optimism got the better of me, but I was thinking I'd at least get an interview? But on the other hand, maybe they just had an internal pow-wow, and chose another candidate. Blows either way.

But the ray of hope in these shenanigans is the fact that they wrote in my rejection-mail: "We are sorry that you didn't get this job, but on the upside, we already see that we will need to hire additional staff within the next 2-3 months. In that capacity, we would like to keep your application on hand, with regards to evaluating it against the coming openings." - I'm assuming that "hold on to your application"-thing is standard, HR, "let-em-down-easy" BS, but I see hope in the fact that they're telling me they need more people within the next 2-3 months - to me, this is information they did not need to impart, and as such, a genuine expression of goodwill? Who's with me??? *grins*

Oh well - they can't keep me down! *smiles* To me, this whole job-application-thing is a lot like dating a girl who is potentially out of your league: you have to seem aloof and only just reachable, while on the inside you're screaming:

PICK ME! PICK ME! OHH PICK ME!
- I'm asking you with my brain!!!

Unfortunately, I was never really good at this. Hell, let's be honmest: I always sucked at this! I was the kind of guy who said, straight up and off the bat "I like you - I think we should see more of each other?"

Apparently, this approach can't be all bad though: look who I ended up with... :-)

Oh well - no more speculating I guess? So it's back to Mr Thesis, my old arch-nemesis... :-P

All's well that continues well

2006-04-03T08:54:00.000+02:00

After about an hour, I reached the same conclusion Famous Amos did in her comment to the last post, swallowed pride, stupidity and oafishness, went upstairs to my wife, and told her I was a klutz, but that I had just been so angry? And that of course I would not let this schmuck get between the two of us as well - it's enough that he's almost gotten to her parents + fucked her sister up as well! No need to give him 3-in-a-row... *grins*

She warmed to me slowly, then we kissed and made up, and I fed her ice cream. It's amazing the loops and rolls married life will put you through - you go from thinking "divorce is just 'round the corner!" to thinking "oh my God, she really is the most wonderful woman on this entire planet...!" But to quote the great man himself:

That's life
That's what all the people say
You're riding high in april
Shot down in may
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top in June

I've been a puppet, a pauper,a pirate, a poet
A pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing
Each time I find myself flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race

- Frank Sinatra, "That's Life"

So yeah - back in the saddle. Another hickup overcome. And for each hickup, we grow stronger, for every challenge faced, we are more closely entwined. And it's only been just over 3 years...in the end, they'll have to pry us apart...*smiles*

Thanks for your comments Amos - you are indeed a wise, redheaded pixie... (((hugs))) Ironically (?), iTunes is serving me Peter Gabriel "I Grieve", from the City of Angels soundtrack as I write this? There's no grief here - just a sense of elatedness that I managed to do "the right thing". I've made sacrifices for her, and will continue to do so. You're right Amos: it's what marriage, nay, life is about!

Hugs to all - posters and lurkers alike...*grins*

Loyalty?

2006-04-02T21:26:00.000+02:00

I find that it is my right to say that I do not want to see her sister's husband. I find it comes to me very naturally - I don't want to spend time with him, or her family when he's around, because everything suddenly seems so fake and phoney. So we had another go today - Christmas came up again - and I, in the heat of the moment, continued to hold to my course, and said that if she chose to celebrate Christmas in OUR home, and allow HIM in, then I would go and spend Christmas with my parents.

For the life of me, I can't figure out if I really would, but it somehow irked me - pushed my buttons - that she would so readily allow him entry into our home, when she is vehement about her Dad doing the same, effectively overruling her Mom, who does not want to see the schmuck in her house either?

But what really stung, was that I got the impression that her loyalty is towards her family more than it is towards me. And that really hurt, because I put her first. I would cut off all contact with my family, if it came to that, in order to be with her. That sounds harsh, but to me, that's what marriage is? You commit to each other, and only each other, for as long as you both shall live. It's you and her, together, for the duration of your life.

Am I wrong here? Am I the bad guy? Jury, again, is still out. But I feel...justified? - in my anger? I feel I am entitled to it? And I feel I am entitled to her loyalty, damnit? - I should be the top priority!

So I walked out - well, into the basement - to stew. She's upstairs in the livingroom. We'll see if we manage to find comon ground tonight, or if I'll be spending the night on the couch.

Stay tuned folks... :-P

Fallout day

2006-04-01T18:32:00.000+02:00

Major fallout with the girl today. Over her side of the family. Or: fallout is probably not the right word. We had a somber, sober discussion about her sister and her sister's husband, and what I think her family should do to them. The spark was dinner tonight: her parents have invited me and the girl + the girl's sister along with hubby and kid for dinner tonight at their place...and I just couldn't do it. So I played the thesis-card, and said that I would not attend, as I was too busy with the thesis, but that they should go ahead and have a good time without me.

Seriously: an entire evening of sitting around the crystal glasses and silver cutlery, all fake smiles and fake pleasantry, and so many items on that table that could be used to stab the guy in the nose. I just couldn't do it? As a diplomat-kid, with The Stepfather from hell, I've played my share of stiff upper lip - and my limit was reached today. I can't stand the (disfunctional) "family" currently living upstairs, and I want nothing to do with them.

The girl asked me what this means, and if this is going to be my standpoint from now on? I said it meant that I would do any and every thing in my power to avoid spending time with the fuckers, and that yes: this is my standpoint. She asked if this meant that she could no longer attend her family's birthdays, weddings, baptisms, Christmas, etc? I said she was free to - but that I would not attend. As long as this guy is there, I wan't no part of it. It becomes so...fake? And I need real right now, in the worst possible way.

She then asked if I couldn't see that what I was really doing was punishing her parents, and not the people I really want to mess with? The jury's still out on that one. Her parent's, in my humble opinion, are punishing themselves: they should have cut any ties to the wench long ago, and left them to sail their own destiny. Would have been healthier for everyones mental state? But they're afraid to cut her off now, because she's so fucking weak! And she really is - she's so frail she might as well be made of glass? And this is going to sound heartless, but guess what?

I don't give a shit.

I'm about to become a father. Yeah - someone is going to call me Dad shortly, and that is my primary focus. Any and every thing that distracts me from that, or who takes away from what mental stamina I have, will not fit in my life. Simple as that. I have a "protector-gene" the size of Asia, and with Daddy-dom fast approaching, it's starting to throw its weight around... This means no more lies, no more bullshit, and no more Mr Nice Guy.

Yes: I realize this sounds like I'm on some righteous crusade, out for vengeance. But I'm not. I'm just not about to sit idly by and watch this family become FUBAR. Well, more than they already are anyway? And as far as my absenteeism from tonights dinner party: I just know my mother-in-law is insanely jealous of me right now. She can't stand the guy, and if her husband would let her, she would forbid him entry into her home! And I can totally understand her. But while she's to weak to fight her husband on the issue, I'm willing to take them all on: I'm looking out for number one - me - and it's a good thing too, 'cause it doesn't seem like anyone else is? Well - not on this subject anyway?

Damn.

Since when did I become such a bitter, old guy? Maybe I'm just projecting my stepdad-hatred onto the closest, most threatening father-figure available? But I just can't help it - he's just so...unlikeable? But in all honesty, it's his wife I can't stand. SO until I find a way to bug them as much as they're bugging me, I'm goint to abstain from their company.

Dixi.

Holding pattern

2006-03-30T16:19:00.000+02:00

I keep waiting for the result. Sent a job-application to a company that, in my eyes, is a dream come true: they work with electronic consumer device innovation! *grins* The job-title is lab-agent, which means keeping constantly abreast of the evolution of...everything innovation? Basically, customers hire this company to get a lead on where innovation is going within the next 5-10-15-20 years, and how it will affect their area of business. Pretty neat idea really - and something I would be fabulous at (if I do say so myself. And I do!)! I spend the first hour of every morning (7-8am) catching up on my RSS-feeds, getting the latest off of Gizmodo, MobHappy, All About Symbian, etc - basically surfing news. And I would LOVE a job where I could get to embrace this!

And this job promises to be just that. Applicant deadline was March 15th, and they've confirmed receiving the application - and that they found it interesting. So next week there should be news? Definitely getting an interview, of that there can be no question. So I will have to sell myself at the interview...and since I've got a "winning personality", I'm hoping this will result in success.

Oh well - enough cyber-narcisism for now. *grins* But I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that I am almost willing to kill for this job...so keep those fingers crossed! :-S

Venting (Warning: anger below)

2006-03-24T18:18:00.000+01:00

My sister-in-law is not my favourite cup of tea. So sharing the house with her does not make things any more rosy. She's the sort of girl you just want to slap, shake, and slap again, in what would be a futile attempt at getting through to her. Bit of background:

She's been married to this dunce (very mild term for what he is) for going on 12 years now. This guy seduced her when she was in boarding school, just 21 years old, and got her pregnant. They got married when she was 7 months pregnant, and have been ever since. On paper anyway. He wasn't there for the birth of his son, and he isn't there now - seems prince charming couldn't deal with the fact that:

a) he could not walk in from the street and get a job in top management
b) that the weather in this country is not always fantastic
c) tonnes more - suffice it to say he's not a fighter...

So what did he do? After being married for 4 years, he decided to move to another country - on his own. Get a job he liked, where the weather pleased him. And when his wife then fell very ill, and was litterally receiving her last oil, did the prince fly home to be at her side? Don't think so. He stayed put, enjoying his party life-style.

But that's not what pisses me off. What gets my goat, is that she stays married to him! 8 years they've lived in separate countries, her flying down with their son 4 times a year, so he can see his "Dad". She is completely infatuated with him - and not in a good way. Obsesively. Whenever he's around, she will stress and fret and moan and INSIST that she MUST be there the SECOND he comes off work. He works the evening/night shift at a restaurant, and as a result, is rarely seen before 5pm. Ever. Even on the rare occasions when he comes up here to visit. He will also stay up til 5-6-7am, at which point he goes to bed, and sleeps some more.

So you tell me: what the hell kind of husband/father is this? Is he the kind of Dad who - when he was looking for a new appartment in the country where he works - prioritized gettin a place in a "nice" neighbourhood, so that his wife and son could come visit with relative peace of mind? Or did he choose to get a place in the sleazy part of town, because that way he could be close to work and all the action? Take a wild, swinging stab at that one.

And it's not like economy is a factor: "our" father in law (he says he has one son-in-law (me) and "the husband of my daughter") offered him a very, very nice pad down there, so that his grandchild and daughter would be safe? Refused it. Flat. And it's not pride: dad-in-law bought this guy a café - an entire café! - after the wedding, to run as he saw fit. So that he could be his own boss, and have a job he liked. Seems he liked having his own café - just didn't like the responsibility? He decided to go on summer holidays for 8 weeks. In the middle of the peak season. Dad-in-law told him "Fine. Go. But when you come back, your keys to the café will not work." The schmuck laughed and shrugged it off - but did not laugh when he came back, and dad-in-law had held his word...

Why does she stay with him you ask? Beats me. It must be infatuation - plain and simple? He's got some kind of hold on her (hypnosis?), so that whenever she's with him, she goes all soft in the knees and lovey-dovey. At one point last year, she actually brought the divorce-papers with her when they flew down to see him - but once she saw him, they slipped into the background, never to emerge again. The shrink says she's "beyond therapeutical range", and says that the only way to "cure" her is through psychiatric means. But that necessitates that she admits to herself that she's sick, and that she needs help. And of course, she can't see anything wrong with her? She's 1.73 and weighs maybe 42kg...not really a rolemodel of health there? Her eyes have sunk into the sockets, and she applies make-up that makes her look even spookier.

Sometimes, I wish she would just go away. This should be our house - my wife, the baby and me. This was the deal when the sisters bought the house way back when. However, it was only an oral agreement, and apparently, the b*tch doesn't remember it now. Makes me so mad I could scream. Sometimes I punch the walls, just to let off some steam. I don't need this big house. I don't need the sea view. All I need is somewhere to raise my family without that psychotic bitch and her "sometime" stupid schmuck husband living upstairs. But of course, I don't want to give her the satisfaction of having ousted us from what is rightfully ours. Although I would give it up in a heartbeat if my wife said she would too. She's not fond of living in an apartment with a baby, where I don't mind so much. I just want to be us - my family - and not us and this anorexic, infatuated, delussional wench and her spawn.

Every day, I pray for her husband to get hit by a bus / car / fall off a cliff / crash in a plane / get washed away by a tsunami, so that she will get her wakeup-call, and the spell hopefully be broken. But no luck yet.

Does this make me a bad person?

Procrastination wearing off (sort of)

2006-03-17T11:01:00.000+01:00

Been very productive lately, hence the scarce blogging. Have also started a new blog, for friends and familiy - just for the hell of it. But have decided to keep the two apart - this is my corner of the web, for me to be semi-anonymous in. Also, this blog is - strangely - only for me? Don't write this for people to read: write it for me to read later, and reflect on. But I'm writing it as if there are thousands of people out there looking in... :-)

Thesis is coming along nicely - amazing what a new professor / guidance counselor can do?!? Blew me away! Suddenly there was structure, goals and HELP! Actualy, frickin' help, as in "here are 4 articles I think you might enjoy with regards to the subject-matter of your thesis" - and how cool is it when you read them, and they're actually not only useable, but closely interlinked? It is a thing of beauty, I'll tell you that much. :-)

Wow - my first smiley on this blog? This can't be good...*grins*

Finally, some headway

2006-03-07T23:28:00.000+01:00

Well kids, good news: found a professor, who says he would like to help me see my thesis through before I step into parenthood. Also, he's helped me define the outline of the thesis, and given me 4 articles. I don't think I can express with words how happy this one guy - this one, German, Arnold Schwarzenegger-accent toting professor managed to make me that day. We found a new thesis subject, roughed out an action plan, and had me on my merry way within 40 minutes: how hard can it be? Why can't ALL thesis-professors be this...professional? Makes me dislike the ones who went before even more. But it's been a learning experience, I'll tell you that much...!

I'm going to see if gadgeteer.blogspot.com is available. If not, I'll find another name or site to host under. Need a change round here. :-)

Been messing with the macro-mode on my camera, and this is the one shot I dislike the least of the set I shot yesterday - so enjoy.

Shallow be thy name?

2006-02-22T11:27:00.000+01:00

Sometimes I feel so shallow. Like I've got no friends. Being brought up in diplomatic circles has its advantages and its curses, but sometimes, I wonder whether it has made any difference for me? Whether had I lived in Denmark my whole life, would I have had more friends? Would I have gone about this any differently? I'm not sure if it's a natural disposition, or if it's the result of living with my not-so-fabulous stepfather, The Ambassador, for 4-and-a-half years? I bet my psychologist would have an interesting view on this. If he were around. I'm blessed with a shrink who is not the most dependent or stable of professionals, but whom I stick with, because I don't think I can be bothered to start over again with someone new? Because he's seen the good and the bad, and - for better or for worse - now seems to have a pretty good idea who I am? And also, he instills in me a sense that it's all going to be alright? That I will find success, that I will find a job I enjoy doing, and make a comfortable living doing so. And I need that.

I need that stability right now, because lately, I've started to doubt myself. Doubt whether I am in reality able to do anything coherently, and in such a way as to make anyone pay me in any currency for my services? I've spent the better part of a year now, trying to write my thesis. The first 6 months, I had a job. Then I moved with my wife to a new city, and gave up my job as a result, vowing to write the thesis full time. But now the professor, whom I thought would see me through, has up and left me, and I'm looking at starting over for the 4th time (yes - fourth. So, in essence, I've never spent more than 3 months on any giving thesis-subject. Hunky dory, nicht war?). I am having trouble digging myself out of bed every morning - my hearts not in it? What good is this thesis? What the fuck does it matter? It might get me a better salary - then again, I might become so horribly frustrated with it, that I have to spend years and years recovering? Who knows. I just want to get the hell out of Dodge - get it over with, and be on my merry way. I'm going to be someone's Father in two months, for Christs sake?!? "Congratulations son: your Dad's still writing his thesis, and currently holds no job. Luckily, it's not a problem for you, because your Mother's family is of solid means, and so you'll never have to go hungry or live without a roof over your head."

But it fucks with my mind. I want to be the provider? The breadwinner. The man of the house. The husband who buys his wife the Merc for her 40th birthday, and whisks her away to exotic locations and impromptu nights out at fabulous eateries / breathtaking operas / enlightening entertainment / stupendous shopping. Also, I want to be there for the kids - don't want to become an absentee-Dad like my own. And definitely - definitely - not an arms-length father-figure like The Ambassador. Fuck him. Metaphorically. Only a year ago, when visiting them in their new country of temporary residence, I seriously contemplated putting my fist through his face. Mature, isn't it? Then again, I was only 27 at the time...

Well, well, well - this is certainly one of my darker rants, isn't it children? But that's the way it's got to be: take the good with the bad, the light with the dark. And do this knowing that most of the time, I am so good and light that most mortals cannot hold a candle to me. And no, that's not narcissistic. It's fact. Dixi.

Musical regression

2006-02-17T16:30:00.002+01:00

Whatever happened to Ed Kowalczyk, Chad Taylor, Patrick Dahlheimer and Chad Gracey - otherwise known as Live? I suddenly today got a mad penchant for their music, and had to find their CDs (shock, horror - HARDWARE-music?!?) and rip them into my favourite media-platform (yes, I'm a mac-bigot, and so use iTunes. Live with it., after which I've been listening, thinking back, reliving my youth, spent playing air-guitar with my walk-man plugged into my ears so far, that to the uninitiated observer, it would appear I had wires coming straight out of my ears. Ahh: youthful bliss and ignorance. From the time before semi-adult angst and mortgage-pains set in. Hmm. Think I'll go back and escape some more...anything to get away from my f*cking thesis, which is - litterally - busting my balls. The bad way.

This, of course, is the cover of their first, and (imho) best, album.

New phone situation

2006-02-01T16:47:00.000+01:00

Just thought I should follow up on the Qtek 9100 / iMate Jam post: decided not to get it. Primarily because there's no way to sync data between my Mac and Windows Mobile 5.0 yet. I had a fiddle with the new 3G Nokia slider, the 6280.

Looks really good - the OS is fast, the screen is clear (and surprisingly big). I just can't figure out if I'm ready to go back to Nokia after such a long stint with SonyEricsson? I tried the 6680 a week ago, and wasn't impressed? So maybe, just maybe, I'll hold out for the SonyEricsson P990i. 3G, 2 mpixel camera, no Windows Mobile, WiFi, Bluetooth, should be able to iSync given SonyEricsson's track record with Macs...might be just what the doctor ordered actually? :-D

Here's a picture of it for you to take home and enjoy.

New wheels on the horizon

2006-02-01T16:00:00.000+01:00

Ho - what wheels through yonder snowscape burst? Shakespeare aside, the family will soon grow from 2 to three, and in the process, new wheels are in order: the 2-seater will no longer cut it as a family transportation unit.

So. What to buy? Being Scandinavian, we are both quality-conscious, and want something that will protect and secure the family. Of course we're thinking Volvo - more specifically: the excellent Volvo XC90. And here's a nice photo of it.

The girl and I took it out for a test-drive on Sunday...and I was impressed. Having previously had a smack round in a Range Rover, a BMW X3 and a Jeep Wrangler, this is DEFINITELY more bang for your buck, if you'll pardon the analogy. It just feels so...unstoppable? Like a veritable safe on wheels? You sit there smirking, thinking to yourself what fun it might invariably be to sort of push the rest of traffic around, helpless as they would inevitably be to stop you or indeed do anything about it.

Now I'm a tall sort of bloke. And not the most narrow-shouldered either. But this thing...just swallowed me whole?? AMPLE room for me and the missus - and love that the middle rear seat can be pushed forward, so as to make the toddler easily accessible from the front seats. And it comes with a standard air-quality system (ie. AC), but it does more than make hot and cold air: it actively filters polution particles, scent (you know when you clean your windows and you can smell the fluid? Tried it. Didn't smell a single thing. Seriously.) and pollen. Pollen! As I am very allergic to grass-pollen (my doctor says I should spend april through october outside of Northern Europe. I asked her if she'd pay? She said no.), this is beyond cool in my book.

But the downer: it will run us DKK 800.000 - that's 107.206 US dollars. You gotta love the taxes in this country... In Sweden, a mere pebble-toss away, the same car would run us DKK 370.000 (US$ 49.500). Below half price. And in Sweden, that price includes the navigation-system, which will run you DKK 48.000 (US$ 6.400). For the first time ever, I'm actually jealous of the Swedes...

Guess we'll have to see if we can: swing an amazing discount / trade-in / sell my body. Cause I want that car for my new family in the worst way...

What's wrong with you man???

2006-01-24T18:10:00.001+01:00

Keep procrastinating. Pondering whether or not to buy the Qtek 9100 / iMate K-Jam. Cannot get my head 'round whether to get it or not?

Will it be to heavy for practical use? Will someone, somewhere make it compatible with iSync and/or release an alternative piece of synchronization software? Will Skype work on it in a satisfactory manner? Far as I can tell, some people say it works brilliantly, others that the sound quality is somewhat lacking? And will I need to get antivirus apps again? Have been blissfully devoid of this since switching to my mac. Will I even be able to accept the horribly bland and dull GUI that is the Pocket PC 5 OS?

Questions, questions, questions. But the most pressing one of them all: why can't I find a way to motivate myself to work on my thesis, instead of sitting here surfing the 'net 10 hours a day? Honestly! - I got up at 7am this morning, and it's now 18.14 (6.14pm), and I've done fuck-all with the damn thing. Inserted some comma's, written that I need to find some sources...but nothing huge. Girl just asked if I'm any closer to having something I can send in?

*sighs*

Sometimes I really, deeply loathe myself.

SuperDuper!

2006-01-18T12:04:00.002+01:00

No. The title is not, nor will it ever be, a way in which I will describe how I'm feeling. That sort of thing is reserved for peppy, preppy types, which I am not. No, SuperDuper! is in fact an excellent little application for creating backups and bootable clones of your Mac drives. I'm very impressed - it just works? And it's so userfriendly, I would recommend it to my Dad - if he had a Mac...

On a totally different note: the Nokia 6680 is growing on me. I must admit that I like having a SmartPhone? It's a welcome change. So I'm actually thinking about making my next phone a Qtek 9100 / K-Jam.

You can see more pictures here, care of Google. This phone has an excellent screen, a full QWERTY keyboard, BlueTooth, WiFi, an OK camera and the full smartphone-package, ie. Pocket PC 5.0 - which ironically is it's greatest drawback: neither Apple nor Mark/Space don't support it yet, which means no iSync capabilities...which is funny, seeing as both SallingClicker and Skype already support it? Oh well. Guess I'll have to bide my time, and be patient. MAN I hate being software-dependent! :-(

Temporary replacement toy: Nokia 6680

2006-01-16T18:26:00.000+01:00

So...while I'm debating whether to go for the N70 or not, I have been given a Nokia 6680 by my friendly local phone-pusher. Not too impressed by the general workings of the phone - sure, it synced with my mac via iSync (and killed at least 5 contacts while doing so - TG for backups) and sure, it works great with my SallingClicker (definitely nice with the album art right there on the screen, but again: not a big thing), but the phone feels...overly complex after my recent years with SonyEricsson bliss?

Take the text-messages for example: OK, so I'm not a 14-year-old bimbo, sending smileys for every 3 words, but admittedly, a smiley will go a long way towards conveying the mood with which you're sending an sms...and never in my life has it taken such effort to create a : a - and a ) !!! Not to mention :-* (for the wife...), which demands that you use special keys to insert a "symbol" (the *). Sighs. But you can't win, can you? I want the best of all worlds! My ideal phone should have:

- WiFi, with Skype capabilities (ie. Windows Mobile 2003 / 5 + touchscreen)
- at least 2 Mpixel camera
- GPRS/EDGE, would like 3G
- Bluetooth (IrDA not required, but not frowned upon either)
- iSync / OS X * - preferably with contact-pictures supported
- hotswapable memory-card of some sort
- easy on the eyes (...yes, I know: I'm demanding...)
- easy to use (LOVE the SE OS, but Microsoft Mobile is alluring...)
- a nice, big, bright display

So, as you see, not your average user here... So far, the K750i has been great, but it lacks the ability to sync contact pictures to and from the phone (no biggie, but would really be a nice thing to have). The prospect of walking around at home / a hotspot, chatting with people over Skype via my cellphone is just so...desirable? Really would love this, as it would enable me to free myself from the PowerBook when I'm Skyping + hopefully achieve better sound than the mic in the PB? Oh well. So using the 6680 now, and while its nice enough, the OS (Symbian) isn't for me, and the keys are tiny (or my fingers are too big - whichever) and too close together. Also, why can't they (= Nokia) make it so that when a contact calls you (and you've gone through the trouble of adding a photo to said contact), this contact's pictures is displayed NICE AND BIG - not the size of a bulimic stamp??? Honestly. Get your act together. Laughingstock of the household for that one (household firmly and smugly wedged in with their SonyEricssons...).

Oh well - the hunt goes on. The Qtek 9100 / K-Jam looks gorgeous, and my hands-on time with it today held promise. But as long as the good people at Mark/Space can't get it syncing with iSync, I'm going to bide my time...

* (there go all the Windows Mobile 5 smartphones, as Mark/Space haven't managed to crack this issue yet)

A chat and a handshake...

2006-01-14T18:19:00.000+01:00

Been shopping. For pool-tables no less. Need one. Can't have a home without a pool-table? So we need one.

Also shopping for a new cellphone. My K750i has died for the second time in 6 months, and I'm fed up with it, so I'm thinking about switching back to Nokia (shock horror), and giving their N70 a go...? The N70 isn't native in iSync, but I've found a hack that should work, so that's alright. It also works with BluePhone Elite and SallingClicker, which is critical for my choice of new phone (I'm such a compatibility-junkie, it's really scary how you come to be in the grasp of your favourite apps...).

The weekend was good - aside from the fact that the Steelers whooped (...) my Colts...goodbye playoffs...such a pity that Manning couldn't play all 4 quarters like he did the 3rd...if he had, the Steelers would have had little hope. But DAMN what a game! LONG time since I've seen anything quite as nerve-racking! From the blitz-start by the Steelers to 14-0, right through to the end with the failed 4th down by the Colts, that's then given to the Steelers on the Colts' 1-yard line...at which point The Bus decides he wants to make his ONLY mistake of the evening, and has the ball knocked loose and converted...teeth meeting nails at an unprecedented rate here - thought we'd (the Colts) lost the game twice before we actually had...managed to rally both times after we were in the bag...hehehe...but 3rd times a winner - or loosed in our case - and much respect to the Steelers for the game.

But they'd better go all the way after this! - or else... ;-)

Procrastination continues...

2006-01-12T11:54:00.000+01:00

In spite of getting up at 7am (which is actually nice, once you get used to spending the first 4 hours you're awake in total darkness), I still manage to get next-to-nothing done on my thesis...the Internet is such a wonderful distraction? And when I try to shut down my Internet connection, I go into withdrawal? *sighs* Guess I'd better just get my act together and start applying myself? The harder I work, the sooner it'll be over, right?

On a totally different note, things are absolutely fantastic with the girl - new found levels of respect and commitment all round. She makes dinner, she's cleaning up the house pretty much from one end to the other...makes me feel even more guilty for not working more efficiently, but also, it makes me feel...loved? And what's better than that???

In a Zero 7 sort of mood today...check them out if you don't know them, highly recommend them. Oh: and I decided not to go for the MacBook Pro after reading this blog entry from rosyna - I would definitely miss my FW800 port for backups! And my S-video out! - what are they thinking?!? Schmucks. Hope there'll be a work-over of this MacBook later on...and a name-change...don't think I'll ever warm to that? PowerBook - now there's a name!

Off to attempt to write some more.

Stay happy and never take drugs.

Yay - new toy to crave...

2006-01-11T09:59:00.000+01:00

So MacWorld was yesterday, and as a result, I'm now left with a craving for toys that I cannot posses before at least a month has passed: the new MacBook Pro + iLife 06 with iWeb.

Of course, I realize that - apart from investing (heavily) in a MacBook Pro, I will also have to get a .Mac account, as the prospect of photocasting appeals to me wildly. So it appears that Apple once again has me by the short and curlies...but damned if I don't love the stuff they make! SO...I guess I'm just a sucker for Steve...*stupid, impish grin*

January 18th - update: no longer want the MacBook Pro for these reasons. Back to the drawing board, Steve...

Oh, and check out Kelly Osbournes new single, "One Word" - I know it's alright as I was tapping my foot to it before I found out who the artist was, and while I dislike her as much as the next person, this track is actually very listenable. So go listen.

Starting this off on the wrong foot...

2006-01-10T17:57:00.000+01:00

Tuesday came and went. Supposed to be writing my thesis, but not finding it entirely too enticing, so have decided to start blogging - yay. Yesterday decided to learn Japanese. Amazing what you do to avoid things you don't want to do? "The fun lies not in having nothing to do. Oh no. The fun lies in having plenty to do - and not doing it." Mae West was a wise old gal.

So now that I have this outlet, I guess I'm going to have to figure out what to do with it? Maybe vent over life, the universe and everything (yes, Douglas Adams was a genious), maybe wax philosophical to scare off everyone. Or maybe just be me? Right now listening to the incredibly talented Amos Lee and his "Soul Suckers" (on iTunes - get it before your neighbour!), which pretty much reflects the mood. Sitting in my self-proclaimed "writing-room" in the basement, while the girl is busy tidying up upstairs. Feel a bit guilty procrastinating down here (let's face it: this blog will NOT further my thesis) while she's up there working. But fair's fair: I've been pampering her while she was doing her project, and what goes around comes around? *grins*

Oh well - call this session brainstorm, cause that's what it's been. Crazy rollercoaster ride this - thanks for reading, promise to update with more interesting stuff soon.

Greets to all - posters and lurkers alike...